C-
8%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
9%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
11%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleLowell/100k peopleMassachusetts/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime2,434n/a (estimate)2,1491,3922,324
Murder6n/a5.32.16.3
Rape19n/a16.829.140.0
Robbery72n/a63.637.766.1
Assault358n/a316.0253.1268.2
Violent crime455n/a (estimate)402322370
Burglary246n/a217.2142.8269.8
Theft1,536n/a1,356.0827.61,401.9
Vehicle theft197n/a173.999.7282.7
Property crime1,979n/a (estimate)1,7471,0701,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Lowell, MA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Lowell crime rate is 7.6% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Lowell, there were 455 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 402 per 100,000 individuals, 8.6% higher than the national average. Additionally, Lowell recorded 1979 property crimes, amounting to 1747 per 100,000 residents, 10.6% lower than the U.S. average.

The Lowell crime rate is about average when compared to all the other cities across the U.S. per 100,000 residents. When we compared the total crimes (violent and property) in Lowell, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.

The violent crime rate in Lowell closely mirrors the national average among all cities that reported crime, with 402 incidents per 100,000 people. The national average for violent crime per 100,000 people was 370. This consistency highlights Lowell as a community where safety standards are in line with the broader national landscape, providing residents with a reliable sense of security.

In the most recent release, Lowell reported a property crime rate that closely aligns with the national average. In Lowell, there were 1747 reported property crimes, a figure consistent with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. This positions the area as maintaining a level of safety and security on par with the typical city. The harmonious statistics underscore a balanced commitment to community well-being, offering residents a sense of stability and peace in their surroundings.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lowell?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Lowell residents. Out of the respondents (55 in total), 31% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Lowell were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 69% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Lowell a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Lowell is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Lowell has a total crime rate that is 8% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 6.67 daily crimes (1.25 violent daily crimes and 5.42 daily property crimes) in Lowell.

Has Crime in Lowell Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Lowell has increased by 30.4%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Lowell, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 24.3%, while property crime has increased by 31.9%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Lowell is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lowell

Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower Lowell crime rates. For instance, in Lowell, the population density stands at 8178.3 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Lowell, 75.3% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Lowell, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 2.72, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

Lowell crime map



The Lowell crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Lowell as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Lowell crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Lowell crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Lowell, MA Crime

      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Lowell crime rates are 8% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Lowell are 9% higher than the national average
      • In Lowell you have a 1 in 47 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Lowell is safer than 27% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Lowell has increased by 29%

      Lowell, MA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Lowell (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Lowell for every 100,000 residents. The Lowell total amount of daily crime is 1.54 times more than the Massachusetts average and 1.08 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Lowell, is 1.25 times more than the Massachusetts average, and it is 1.09 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Lowell has a daily crime average that is 1.63 times more than the Massachusetts average and 1.12 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Lowell (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Massachusetts and all other cities across the US, is Lowell safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Lowell is safer than 12% of other cities in the state of Massachusetts. In addition, Lowell is safer than 27% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Massachusetts and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Lowell. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Lowell is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lowell

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lowell is 1 in 249
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lowell is 1 in 58
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Lowell is 1 in 47
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Lowell, Massachusetts you have a 1 in 249 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 58 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 47 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Lowell.

        Year Over Year Crime In Lowell (per 100,000 people)

        An ideal indicator of whether Lowell is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Lowell has increased by 23% and the rate of property crime in Lowell has increased by 31%. The total crime rate in Lowell has increased by 29% year to year.

        Lowell police department

        Item Lowell Massachusetts National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)29511,659558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.72.23.3
        There are a total of 295 Lowell police officers. This results in 2.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 26.2% greater than the Massachusetts average and 16.4% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Massachusetts

        State Total offenders Massachusetts /100K National /100K
        Massachusetts4,55172266
        There are a total of 4,551 sex offenders in Massachusetts. This yields a total of 72 sex offenders in Massachusetts per 100,000 residents which is 73% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Groton, MA1,12781144226
        Winchester, MA22,76040271311
        Lexington, MA33,30444286330
        Melrose, MA28,05459496555
        Wakefield, MA27,041150440591
        Reading, MA25,23616588604
        East Pepperell, MA1,916140465605
        Lowell, MA111,3114021,7472,149

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Centennial, CO111,3311972,1102,307
        Downey, CA111,2634612,6503,111
        Pompano Beach, FL111,2023161,9102,226
        Antioch, CA111,4686142,2112,825
        West Palm Beach, FL111,0062491,5071,756
        Lowell, MA111,3114021,7472,149
        Source: The Lowell, MA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.